5 Handy Study Hacks for College Students

Studying in college is on a whole different level when compared to studying in high school—you’re expected to read more, understand more, and memorize more. For those who are not used to that kind of studying pace—and the majority of freshmen college students aren’t—this can prove to be challenging, exhausting, and very often stressful. However, there are ways to organize your time better and improve your studying habits. With that in mind, here are some useful study hacks that should help you reach your full potential.

Find your study space

You probably already know that your environment can greatly affect your motivation and productivity, which is why it’s important to find a place where you can actually focus on studying. There shouldn’t be any distractions around you, and you should be comfortable. The best place to start is your college or local library, where you would also be motivated by other students studying around you. However, this also depends on your personal preferences—some people prefer to study in nature, while some can even study on their bed. So, try different types of environment until you find the one that suits you.

Find your method

We are all different, and when it comes to studying, what works for your classmate might not work for you. This is why you should first spend some time figuring out which studying method you prefer. For example, some students like to use a magnetic whiteboard so they can clearly see and mark all the important details. Some students, on the other hand, prefer reading the material out loud. Additionally, there are students who prefer to study on their own, while some analyze material better when studying in groups. There is no such thing as a bad method, though—you just need to find the one that works best for you.

Get creative

Regardless of your chosen method, there’s always a way to get more creative with your notes. For example, if your studying implies underlining the important parts in a book, you can do so with colorful markers. Similarly, if you prefer using a magnetic whiteboard, you can include colorful magnets. Or, if you write your notes in a notebook, you can draw your own hints and tips on the margins. This way, by emphasizing the important parts, you might have an easier time remembering them during your exam. Plus, it makes studying a bit more fun.

Organize your time

One of the biggest challenges in regard to studying is time organization. Many students leave everything until the last moment and then attempt to pull off an all-nighter and learn as much as possible overnight. Needless to say, that’s the worst way possible to organize your time. First, it would inevitably make you stressed out, and you can’t reach your full potential when you’re under stress. Second, it’s not healthy, as it usually includes lots of coffee and very little sleep. Finally, there’s simply no way you can learn everything you need for an exam in one night. So, do your best to improve your habits by adjusting the time you spend studying to the difficulty of the exam you’re studying for.

Take breaks

An important part of organizing your time right is taking breaks. Research has shown that after some time, your brain can actually stop absorbing information. So, while you may be tempted to power through and study for hours at a time, you should know that this can only lead to fatigue and wasted time. On the other hand, by taking short breaks, you’d clear your mind and give your brain a chance to restart. Plus, you can still use that time in a productive way—you can grab a snack, go for a short walk, listen to a song or two, or take a short nap, all of which would help you de-stress and regain your energy.

Studying is an unavoidable part of college that is rarely fun, but it can be made easier and more effective. If you organize your time well, take breaks, and find the best studying method for you, you should be passing your exams with ease. So, think about the listed tips, apply them, and the results are guaranteed to show in no time.